Substituted phenypropionic acid derivatives as agonists to human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α(PPAR)

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides the S enantiomer of a compound of formula (I); wherein R 1  represents 2,4-difluorophenyl or cyclohexyl as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, crystalline forms and prodrugs thereof, to processes for preparing such compounds, to their the utility in treating clinical conditions including lipid disorders (dyslipidemias) whether or not associated with insulin resistance, to methods for their therapeutic use and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 of International Application PCT/GB02/05744, filed Dec. 18, 2002, which claims priority from Swedish Application No. 0104334-8, filed Dec. 19, 2001, the specifications of each of which are incorporated by reference herein. International Application PCT/GB02/05744 was published under PCT Article 21(2) in English.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to certain novel (2S)-3-(4-{2-[amino]-2-oxoethoxy}phenyl)-2-ethoxypropanoic propionic acid derivatives, to processes for preparing such compounds, to their the utility in treating clinical conditions including lipid disorders (dyslipidemias) whether or not associated with insulin resistance and other manifestations of the metabolic syndrome, to methods for their therapeutic use and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The metabolic syndrome including type 2 diabetes mellitus, refers to a cluster of manifestations including insulin resistance with accompanying hyperinsulinaemia, possibly type 2 diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, central (visceral) obesity, dyslipidaemia observed as deranged lipoprotein levels typically characterised by elevated VLDL (very low density lipoproteins), small dense LDL particles and reduced HDL (high density lipoprotein) concentrations and reduced fibrinolysis.

Recent epidemiological research has documented that individuals with insulin resistance run a greatly increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, notably suffering from myocardial infarction and stroke. In type 2 diabetes mellitus atherosclerosis related conditions cause up to 80% of all deaths.

In clinical medicine there is awareness of the need to increase the insulin sensitivity in patients with the metabolic syndrome and thus to correct the dyslipidaemia which is considered to cause the accelerated progress of atherosclerosis. However, currently this is not a universally accepted diagnosis with well-defined pharmacotherapeutic indications.

The S-enantiomer of the compound of formula C below

2-ethoxy-3-[4-(2-{4-methanesulfonyloxyphenyl}ethoxy)phenyl]propanoic acid, is disclosed in PCT Publication Number WO99/62872. This compound is reported to be a modulator of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR, for a review of the PPARs see T. M. Willson et al, J Med Chem 2000, Vol 43, 527) and has combined PPARα/PPARγ agonist activity (Structure, 2001, Vol 9, 699, P. Cronet et al). This compound is effective in treating conditions associated with insulin resistance.

Surprisingly a series of compounds has now been found which are highly potent PPARα modulators.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides the S enantiomer of a compound of formula I

wherein R¹ represents 2,4-difluorophenyl or cyclohexyl as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, crystalline forms and prodrugs thereof.

The term “prodrug” as used in this specification includes derivatives of the carboxylic acid group which are converted in a mammal, particularly a human, into the carboxylic acid group or a salt or conjugate thereof. It should be understood that, whilst not being bound by theory, it is believed that most of the activity associated with the prodrugs arises from the activity of the compound of formula I into which the prodrugs are converted. Prodrugs can be prepared by routine methodology well within the capabilities of someone skilled in the art. Various prodrugs of carboxy are known in the art. For examples of such prodrug derivatives, see:

-   a) Design of Prodrugs, edited by H. Bundgaard, (Elsevier, 1985) and     Methods in Enzymology. 42: 309-396, edited by K. Widder, et al.     (Academic Press, 1985); -   b) A Textbook of Drug Design and Development, edited by     Krogsgaard-Larsen and H. Bundgaard, Chapter 5 “Design and     Application of Prodrugs”, by H. Bundgaard p. 113-191 (1991); -   c) H. Bundgaard, Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 8:1-38 (1992); -   d) H. Bundgaard, et al., Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 77:285     (1988); and -   e) N. Kakeya, et al., Chem Pharm Bull, 32:692 (1984).

The above documents a to e are herein incorporated by reference.

In vivo cleavable esters are just one type of prodrug of the parent molecule. An in vivo hydrolysable (or cleavable) ester of a compound of the formula (I) that contains a carboxy group is, for example, a pharmaceutically acceptable ester which is hydrolysed in the human or animal body to produce the parent acid. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable esters for carboxy include Calkoxymethyl esters, for example, methoxymethyl; C₁₋₆alkanoyloxymethyl esters, for example, pivaloyloxymethyl; phthalidyl esters; C₃₋₈cycloalkoxycarbonyloxyC₁₋₆alkyl esters, for example, 1-cyclohexylcarbonyloxyethyl; 1,3-dioxolen-2-onylmethyl esters, for example, 5-methyl-1,3-dioxolen-2-onylmethyl; and C₁₋₆alkoxycarbonyloxyethyl esters, for example, 1-methoxycarbonyloxyethyl; and may be formed at any carboxy group in the compounds of this invention.

The compounds of formula I have activity as medicaments. In particular the compounds of formula I are highly potent agonists of PPARα. In addition the compounds of formula I are also agonists of PPAR_(γ). The term agonists as used herein, includes partial agonists.

Specific compounds of the invention are:

-   (2S)-3-(4-{2-[(Cyclohexylmethyl)(heptyl)amino]-2-oxoethoxy}phenyl)-2-ethoxypropanoic     acid; and -   (2S)-3-(4-{2-[(2,4-Difluorobenzyl)(heptyl)amino]-2-oxoethoxy}phenyl)-2-ethoxypropanoic     acid;     and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and crystalline     forms thereof.

In the present specification the expression “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” is intended to define but is not limited to base salts such as the alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts, ammonium salts, salts with basic amino acids, and salts with organic amines.

It will also be understood that certain compounds of the present invention may exist in solvated, for example hydrated, as well as unsolvated forms. It is to be understood that the present invention encompasses all such solvated forms. Certain compounds of the present invention may exist as tautomers. It is to be understood that the present invention encompasses all such tautomers.

Methods of Preparation

The compounds of the invention may be prepared as outlined below. However, the invention is not limited to these methods, the compounds may also be prepared as described for structurally related compounds in the prior art. The reactions can be carried out according to standard procedures or as described in the experimental section.

Compounds of formula I may be prepared by reacting the S enatiomer of a compound of formula II

in which R¹ is as previously defined and R² represents a protecting group for a carboxylic hydroxy group as described in the standard text “Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis”, 2^(nd) Edition (1991) by Greene and Wuts, with a de-protecting agent. The protecting group may also be a resin, such as Wang resin or 2-chlorotrityl chloride resin. Protecting groups may be removed in accordance to techniques which are well known to those skilled in the art. One such protecting group is where R² represents a C₁₋₆alkoxy group or an arylalkoxy group eg benzyl, such that COR² represents an ester. Such esters can be reacted with a de-protecting reagent e.g. a hydrolysing agent, for example lithium hydroxide in a mixture of THF and water, at a temperature in the range of 0-100° C. to give compounds of formula I.

Compounds of formula II may be prepared by reacting the S enantiomer of a compound of formula III

in which R² is as previously defined with a compound of formula IV

in which R¹ is as previously defined in an inert solvent, for example dichloromethane, in the presence of a coupling agent, for example a carbodimide, eg 1-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide, and optionally in the presence of a catalyst, for example a basic catalyst, eg 4-dimethylaminopyridine, at a temperature in the range of −25° C. to 150° C.

Compounds of formula III and IV may be prepared by methods described in the Examples or by analogous methods known to those skilled in the art.

Compounds of formula II and m are useful intermediates in the preparation of compounds of formula I and are believed to be novel. Compounds of formula II and III are herein claimed as a further aspect of the present invention. The S-enantiomers of compounds of formula II and III are preferred.

The compounds of the invention may be isolated from their reaction mixtures using conventional techniques.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that, in order to obtain compounds of the invention in an alternative and in some occasions, more convenient manner, the individual process steps mentioned hereinbefore may be performed in different order, and/or the individual reactions may be performed at different stage in the overall route (i.e. chemical transformations may be performed upon different intermediates to those associated hereinbefore with a particular reaction).

The expression “inert solvent” refers to a solvent which does not react with the starting materials, reagents, intermediates or products in a manner which adversely affects the yield of the desired product.

Pharmaceutical Preparations

The compounds of the invention will normally be administered via the oral, parenteral, intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous or in other injectable ways, buccal, rectal, vaginal, transdermal and/or nasal route and/or via inhalation, in the form of pharmaceutical preparations comprising the active ingredient either as a free acid, or a pharmaceutical acceptable organic or inorganic base addition salt, in a pharmaceutically acceptable dosage form. Depending upon the disorder and patient to be treated and the route of administration, the compositions may be administered at varying doses.

Suitable daily doses of the compounds of the invention in therapeutical treatment of humans are about 0.0001-100 mg/kg body weight, preferably 0.001-10 mg/lkg body weight.

Oral formulations are preferred particularly tablets or capsules which may be formulated by methods known to those skilled in the art to provide doses of the active compound in the range of 0.5 mg to 500 mg for example 1 mg, 3 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg and 250 mg.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is thus provided a pharmaceutical formulation including any of the compounds of the invention, or pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof, in admixture with pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvants, diluents and/or carriers.

Pharmacological Properties

The present compounds of formula (I) are useful for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of clinical conditions associated with inherent or induced reduced sensitivity to insulin (insulin resistance) and associated metabolic disorders (also known as metabolic syndrome). These clinical conditions will include, but will not be limited to, general obesity, abdominal obesity, arterial hypertension, hyperinsulinaemia, hyperglycaemia, type 2 diabetes and the dyslipidaemia characteristically appearing with insulin resistance. This dyslipidaemia, also known as the atherogenic lipoprotein profile, is characterised by moderately elevated non-esterified fatty acids, elevated very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) triglyceride rich particles, high Apo B levels, low high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels associated with low apoAI particle levels and high Apo B levels in the presence of small, dense, low density lipoproteins (LDL) particles, phenotype B.

The compounds of the present invention are expected to be useful in treating patients with combined or mixed hyperlipidemias or various degrees of hypertriglyceridemias and postprandial dyslipidemia with or without other manifestations of the metabolic syndrome.

Treatment with the present compounds is expected to lower the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with atherosclerosis due to their antidyslipidaemic as well as antiinflammatory properties. The cardiovascular disease conditions include macro-angiopathies of various internal organs causing myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular disease and peripheral arterial insufficiency of the lower extremities. Because of their insulin sensitizing effect the compounds of formula I are also expected to prevent or delay the development of type 2 diabetes from the metabolic syndrome and diabetes of pregnancy. Therefore the development of long-term complications associated with chronic hyperglycaemia in diabetes mellitus such as the micro-angiopathies causing renal disease, retinal damage and peripheral vascular disease of the lower limbs are expected to be delayed. Furthermore the compounds may be useful in treatment of various conditions outside the cardiovascular system whether or not associated with insulin resistance, like polycystic ovarian syndrome, obesity, cancer and states of inflammatory disease including neurodegenerative disorders such as mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis.

The compounds of the present invention are expected to be useful in controlling glucose levels in patients suffering from type 2 diabetes.

The present invention provides a method of treating or preventing dyslipidemias, the insulin resistance syndrome and/or metabolic disorders (as defined above) comprising the administration of a compound of formula I to a mammal (particularly a human) in need thereof.

The present invention provides a method of treating or preventing type 2 diabetes comprising the administration of an effective amount of a compound of formula I to a mammal (particularly a human) in need thereof.

In a further aspect the present invention provides the use of a compound of formula I as a medicament.

In a further aspect the present invention provides the use of a compound of formula I in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of insulin resistance and/or metabolic disorders.

Combination Therapy

The compounds of the invention may be combined with other therapeutic agents that are useful in the treatment of disorders associated with the development and progress of atherosclerosis such as hypertension, hyperlipidaemias, dyslipidaemias, diabetes and obesity. The compounds of the invention may be combined with another therapeutic agent that decreases the ratio of LDL:HDL or an agent that causes a decrease in circulating levels of LDL-cholesterol. In patients with diabetes mellitus the compounds of the invention may also be combined with therapeutic agents used to treat complications related to micro-angiopathies.

The compounds of the invention may be used alongside other therapies for the treatment of metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes and its associated complications, these include biguanide drugs, for example metformin, phenformin and buformin, insulin (synthetic insulin analogues, amylin) and oral antihyperglycemics (these are divided into prandial glucose regulators and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors). An example of an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor is acarbose or voglibose or miglitol. An example of a prandial glucose regulator is repaglinide or nateglinide.

In another aspect of the invention, the compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, may be administered in association with another PPAR modulating agent. PPAR modulating agents include but are not limited to a PPAR alpha and/or gamma agonist, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, solvates of such salts or prodrugs thereof. Suitable PPAR alpha and/or gamma agonists, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, solvates of such salts or prodrugs thereof are well known in the art. These include the compounds described in WO 01/12187, WO 01/12612, WO 99/62870, WO 99/62872, WO 99/62871, WO 98/57941, WO 01/40170, J Med Chem, 1996, 39, 665, Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents, 10 (5), 623-634 (in particular the compounds described in the patent applications listed on page 634) and J Med Chem, 2000, 43, 527 which are all incorporated herein by reference. Particularly a PPAR alpha and/or gamma agonist refers to NN622/Ragaglitazar, BMS 298585, WY-14643, clofibrate, fenofibrate, bezafibrate, gemfibrozil and ciprofibrate; GW 9578, ciglitazone, troglitazone, pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, eglitazone, proglitazone, BRL-49634, KRP-297, JTT-501, SB 213068, GW 1929, GW 7845, GW 0207, L-796449, L-165041 and GW 2433. Particularly a PPAR alpha and/or gamma agonist refers to (S)-2-ethoxy-3-[4-(2-{4-methanesulphonyloxyphenyl}ethoxy)-phenyl]propanoic acid and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

In addition the combination of the invention may be used in conjunction with a sulfonylurea for example: glimepiride, glibenclamide (glyburide), gliclazide, glipizide, gliquidone, chloropropamide, tolbutamide, acetohexamide, glycopyramide, carbutamide, glibonuride, glisoxepid, glybuthiazole, glibuzole, glyhexamide, glymidine, glypinamide, phenbutamide, tolcylamide and tolazamide. Preferably the sulfonylurea is glimepiride or glibenclamide (glyburide). More preferably the sulfonylurea is glimepiride. Therefore the present invention includes adrministration of a compound of the present invention in conjunction with one, two or more existing therapies described in this paragraph. The doses of the other existing therapies for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and its associated complications will be those known in the art and approved for use by regulatory bodies for example the FDA and may be found in the Orange Book published by the FDA. Alternatively smaller doses may be used as a result of the benefits derived from the combination.

The present invention also includes a compound of the present invention in combination with a cholesterol-lowering agent. The cholesterol-lowering agents referred to in this application include but are not limited to inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase). Suitably the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor is a statin selected from the group consisting of atorvastatin, bervastatin, cerivastatin, dalvastatin, fluvastatin, itavastatin, lovastatin, mevastatin, nicostatin, nivastatin, pravastatin and simvastatin, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, especially sodium or calcium, or a solvate thereof, or a solvate of such a salt. A particular statin is atorvastatin, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof. A more particular statin is atorvastatin calcium salt. A particularly preferred statin is, however, a compound with the chemical name (E)-7-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-2-[methyl(methylsulfonyl)-amino]-pyrimidin-5-yl](3R,5S)-3,5-dihydroxyhept-6-enoic acid, [also known as (E)-7-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-2-[N-methyl-N-(methylsulfonyl)-amino]pyrimidin-5-yl](3R,5S)-3,5-dihydroxyhept-6-enoic acid] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, or a solvate of such a salt. The compound (E)-7-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-2-[methyl-(methylsulfonyl)-amino]-pyrimidin-5-yl](3R,5S)-3,5-dihydroxyhept-6-enoic acid, and its calcium and sodium salts are disclosed in European Patent Application, Publication No. EP-A-0521471, and in Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry, (1997), 5(2), 437-444. This latter statin is now known under its generic name rosuvastatin.

In the present application, the term “cholesterol-lowering agent” also includes chemical modifications of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, such as esters, prodrugs and metabolites, whether active or inactive.

The present invention also includes a compound of the present invention in combination with an inhibitor of the ileal bile acid transport system (IBAT inhibitor).

Suitable compounds possessing IBAT inhibitory activity have been described, see for instance the compounds described in WO 93/16055, WO 94/18183, WO 94/18184, WO 96/05188, WO 96/08484, WO 96/16051, WO 97/33882, WO 98/07449, WO 98/03818, WO 98/38182, WO 99/32478, WO 99/35135, WO 98/40375, WO 99/35153, WO 99/64409, WO 99/64410, WO 00/01687, WO 00/47568, WO 00/61568, WO 00/62810, WO 01/68906, DE 19825804, WO 00/38725, WO 00/38726, WO 00/38727, WO 00/38728, WO 00/38729, WO 01/68906, WO 01/66533, WO 02/32428, WO 02/50051, EP 864 582, EP489423, EP549967, EP573848, EP624593, EP624594, EP624595 and EP624596 and the contents of these patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.

Particular classes of IBAT inhibitors suitable for use in the present invention are benzothiepines, and the compounds described in the claims, particularly claim 1, of WO 00/01687, WO 96/08484 and WO 97/33882 are incorporated herein by reference. Other suitable classes of IBAT inhibitors are the 1,2-benzothiazepines, 1,4-benzothiazepines and 1,5-benzothiazepines. A further suitable class of IBAT inhibitors is the 1,2,5-benzothiadiazepines.

One particular suitable compound possessing IBAT inhibitory activity is (3R,5R)-3-butyl-3-ethyl-1,1-dioxido-5-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,4-benzothiazepin-8-yl β-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid (EP 864 582). Other suitable IBAT inhibitors include one of:

-   1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-1′-phenyl-1′-[N′-(carboxymethyl)carbamoyl]methyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N′-(carboxymethyl)carbamoyl]4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-1′-phenyl-1′-[N′-(2-sulphoethyl)carbamoyl]methyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-1′-phenyl-1′-[N′-(2-sulphoethyl)carbamoyl]methyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N′-(2-sulphoethyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N′-(2-sulphoethyl)carbamoyl]4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N′-(2-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N′-(2-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N′-(5-carboxypentyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N′-(2-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{-α-[N′-(2-sulphoethyl)carbamoyl]-2-fluorobenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N′-(R)-(2-hydroxy-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N′-(R)-(2-hydroxy-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-{N-[(R)-α-(N′-{(R)-1-[N″-(R)-(2-hydroxy-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]-2-hydroxyethyl}carbamoyl)benzyl]carbamoylmethoxy}-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{-α-[N′-(carboxymethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; -   1,1     dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{-α-[N′-((ethoxy)(methyl)phosphoryl-methyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-{N-[(R)-α-(N′-{2-[(hydroxy)(methyl)phosphoryl]ethyl}carbamoyl)benzyl]carbamoylmethoxy}-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N′-(2-methylthio-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-{N-[(R)-α-(N′-{2-[(methyl)(ethyl)phosphoryl]ethyl}carbamoyl)-4-hydroxybenzyl]carbamoylmethoxy}-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-{N-[(R)-α-(N′-{2-[(methyl)(hydroxy)phosphoryl]ethyl}carbamoyl)-4-hydroxybenzyl]carbamoylmethoxy}-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[(R)-N(2-methylsulphinyl-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methoxy-8-[N-{(R)-α-[N′-(2-sulphoethyl)carbamoyl]4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((R)-1-carboxy-2-methylthio-ethyl)carbamoyl)]4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((S)-1-carboxy-2-(R)-hydroxypropyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((S)-1-carboxy-2-methylpropyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((S)-1-carboxybutyl)carbarnoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((S)-1-carboxypropyl)carbamoyl]benzyl)carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((S)-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-((R)-α-[N-((S)-1-carboxy-2-(R)-hydroxypropyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-(2-sulphoethyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((S)-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; -   1,1-di     oxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((R)-1-carboxy-2-methylthioethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-{(S)-1-[N-((S)-2-hydroxy-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]propyl}carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; -   1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((S)-1-carboxy-2-methylpropyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; -   1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((S)-1-carboxypropyl)carbamoyl]4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; -   1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-[N-((R/S)-α-{N-[1-(R)-2-(S)-1-hydroxy-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-yl]carbamoyl}-4-hydroxybenzyl)carbamoylmethoxy]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; -   1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-(2-(S)-3-(R)4-(R)-5-(R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine;     and -   1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-(2-(S)-3-(R)-4-(R)-5-(R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine;     or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a     salt or a prodrug thereof.

According to an additional further aspect of the present invention there is provided a combination treatment comprising the administration of an effective amount of a compound of the formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, optionally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier, with the simultaneous, sequential or separate administration one or more of the following agents selected from:

-   a CETP (cholesteryl ester transfer protein) inhibitor, for example     those referenced and described in WO 00/38725 page 7 line 22-page     10, line 17 which are incorporated herein by reference; -   a cholesterol absorption antagonist for example azetidinones such as     SCH 58235 and those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,767,115 which are     incorporated herein by reference; -   a MTP (microsomal transfer protein) inhibitor for example those     described in Science, 282, 751-54, 1998 which are incorporated     herein by reference; -   a nicotinic acid derivative, including slow release and combination     products, for example, nicotinic acid (niacin), acipimox and     niceritrol; -   a phytosterol compound for example stanols; -   probucol; -   an anti-obesity compound for example orlistat (EP 129,748) and     sibutramine (GB 2,184,122 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,929,629); -   an antihypertensive compound for example an angiotensin converting     enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, an     andrenergic blocker, an alpha andrenergic blocker, a beta     andrenergic blocker, a mixed alpha/beta andrenergic blocker, an     andrenergic stimulant, calcium channel blocker, an AT-1 blocker, a     saluretic, a diuretic or a vasodilator; -   a CB1 antagonist or inverse agonist for example as described in     WO01/70700 and EP 65635; -   a Melanin concentrating hormone (MCH) antagonist; -   a PDK inhibitor; or -   modulators of nuclear receptors for example LXR, FXR, RXR and     RORalpha;     or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a     salt or a prodrug thereof, optionally together with a     pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier to a warm-blooded     animal, such as man in need of such therapeutic treatment.

Particular ACE inhibitors or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, solvate of such salts or a prodrugs thereof, including active metabolites, which can be used in combination with a compound of formula I include but are not limited to, the following compounds: alacepril, alatriopril, altiopril calcium, ancovenin, benazepril, benazepril hydrochloride, benazeprilat, benzoylcaptopril, captopril, captopril-cysteine, captopril-glutathione, ceranapril, ceranopril, ceronapril, cilazapril, cilazaprilat, delapril, delapril-diacid, enalapril, enalaprilat, enapril, epicaptopril, foroxymithine, fosfenopril, fosenopril, fosenopril sodium, fosinopril, fosinopril sodium, fosinoprilat, fosinoprilic acid, glycopril, hemorphin-4, idrapril, imidapril, indolapril, indolaprilat, libenzapril, lisinopril, lyciumin A, lyciumin B, mixanpril, moexipril, moexiprilat, moveltipril, muracein A, muracein B, muracein C, pentopril, perindopril, perindoprilat, pivalopril, pivopril, quinapril, quinapril hydrochloride, quinaprilat, ramipril, ramiprilat, spirapril, spirapril hydrochloride, spiraprilat, spiropril, spiropril hydrochloride, temocapril, temocapril hydrochloride, teprotide, trandolapril, trandolaprilat, utibapril, zabicipril, zabiciprilat, zofenopril and zofenoprilat. Preferred ACE inhibitors for use in the present invention are ramipril, ramiprilat, lisinopril, enalapril and enalaprilat. More preferred ACE inhibitors for uses in the present invention are ramipril and rarniprilat.

Preferred angiotensin II antagonists, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, solvate of such salts or a prodrugs thereof for use in combination with a compound of formula I include, but are not limited to, compounds: candesartan, candesartan cilexetil, losartan, valsartan, irbesartan, tasosartan, telmisartan and eprosartan. Particularly preferred angiotensin II antagonists or pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof for use in the present invention are candesartan and candesartan cilexetil.

Therefore in an additional feature of the invention, there is provided a method for for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and its associated complications in a warm-blooded animal, such as man, in need of such treatment which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof in simultaneous, sequential or separate administration with an effective amount of one the other compounds described in this combination section, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.

Therefore in an additional feature of the invention, there is provided a method of treating hyperlipidemic conditions in a warm-blooded animal, such as man, in need of such treatment which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof in simultaneous, sequential or separate administration with an effective amount of one the other compounds described in this combination section or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, and one of the other compounds described in this combination section or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit comprising a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, and one of the other compounds described in this combination section or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit comprising:

-   a) a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt,     solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, in a first     unit dosage form; -   b) one of the other compounds described in this combination section     or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a     salt or a prodrug thereof; in a second unit dosage form; and -   c) container means for containing said first and second dosage     forms.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit comprising:

-   a) a compound of formula 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt,     solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, together with     a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier, in a first unit     dosage form; -   b) one of the other compounds described in this combination section     or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a     salt or a prodrug thereof, in a second unit dosage form; and -   c) container means for containing said first and second dosage     forms.

According to another feature of the invention there is provided the use of a compound of the formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, and one of the other compounds described in this combination section, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the the treatment of metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes and its associated complications in a warm-blooded animal, such as man.

According to another feature of the invention there is provided the use of a compound of the formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, and one of the other compounds described in this combination section, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of hyperlipidaemic conditions in a warm-blooded animal, such as man.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a combination treatment comprising the administration of an effective amount of a compound of the formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, optionally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier, with the simultaneous, sequential or separate administration of an effective amount of one of the other compounds described in this combination section, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof, optionally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier to a warm-blooded animal, such as man in need of such therapeutic treatment.

EXAMPLES

¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR measurements were performed on a Varian Mercury 300 or Varian UNITY plus 400, 500 or 600 spectrometers, operating at ¹H frequencies of 300, 400, 500 and 600 MHz, respectively, and at ¹³C frequencies of 75, 100, 125 and 150 MHz, respectively. Measurements were made on the delta scale (δ).

Unless otherwise stated, chemical shifts are given in ppm with the solvent as internal standard.

Abbreviations

-   DMSO dimethyl sulfoxide -   THF tetrahydrofuran -   DMAP dimethylaminopyridine -   t triplet -   s singlet -   d doublet -   q quartet -   m multiplet -   bs broad singlet

Example 1 (2S)-3-(4-{2-[(Cyclohexylmethyl)(heptyl)amino]-2-oxoethoxy}phenyl)-2-ethoxypropanoic acid

(i) Ethyl(2S)-3-4-[2-(benzyloxy)-2-oxoethoxy]phenyl}-2-ethoxypropanoate

To a solution of ethyl(2S)-2-ethoxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoate (23.8 g, 100 mmol, prepared as described in WO99/62872) in acetonitrile (200 mL) was added anhydrous potassium carbonate (31.9 g, 231 mmol) followed by benzyl bromoacetate (17.4 mL, 110 mmol) and the reaction mixture was refluxed overnight. The reaction mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature, insoluble salts were filtered off and the solution was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was taken up in ethyl acetate (300 mL), and the organic phase was washed with aqueous NaHCO₃ (3×100 mL) and brine (100 mL), dried over anhydrous MgSO₄, and concentrated in vacuo. Purification on silica gel with methylene chloride as the eluent and collection of pure fractions yielded 22.4 g (58%) of a yellow oil.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.16 (t, 3H), 1.22 (t, 3H), 2.93-2.97 (m, 2H), 3.35 (m, 1H), 3.60 (m, 1H), 3.97 (m, 1H), 4.16 (q, 2H), 4.64 (s, 2H), 5.23 (s, 2H), 6.82 (d, 2H), 7.15 (d, 2H), 7.32-7.39 (m, 5H). ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 14.3, 15.2, 38.6, 60.9, 65.6, 66.3, 67.0, 80.4, 114.6, 128.5, 128.6, 128.7, 130.6, 135.3, 156.7, 169.0, 172.6.

(ii) {4-[(2S)-2,3-Diethoxy-3-oxopropyl]phenoxy}acetic acid

To a solution of ethyl(2S)-3-{4-[2-(benzyloxy)-2-oxoethoxy]phenyl}-2-ethoxypropanoate (22.33 g, 57.8 mmol) in freshly distilled THF (290 mL) was added Pd/C (10%, 3.1 g) and the reaction mixture was hydrogenated under atmospheric pressure at room temperature overnight. The mixture was filtered through a plug of Celite and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo to afford 16.6 g (97%) of a light yellow oil.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.15 (t, 3H), 1.21 (t, 3H), 2.93-2.98 (m, 2H), 3.35 (m, 1H), 3.60 (m, 1H), 3.97 (m, 1H), 4.16 (q, 2H), 4.65 (s, 2H), 6.84 (d, 2H), 7.17 (d, 2H), 8.48 (bs, 1H) ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 14.3, 15.1, 38.5, 61.0, 65.1, 66.4, 80.3, 114.6, 130.7, 130.9, 156.4, 172.7, 173.7

(iii) N-(Cyclohexylmethyl)heptanamide

To a solution of aminomethylcyclohexane (0.34 g, 3.0 mmol) in methylene chloride (30 mL) was added heptanoic acid (0.39 g, 3 mmol) and DMAP (0.37 g, 3.0 mmol) followed by 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (0.57 g, 3.0 mmol) and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The mixture was diluted with methylene chloride (100 mL), and the organic phase was washed with 5% HCl (3×75 mL), aqueous NaHCO₃ (75 mL) and brine (75 mL), and dried over Na₂SO₄. Concentration in vacuo afforded 0.62 g (92%) of an oil, which then crystallised.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 0.84-0.98 (m, 5H), 1.08-1.36 (m, 8H), 1.44 (m, 1H), 1.56-1.78 (m, 8H), 2.16 (t, 2H), 3.09 (t, 2H), 5.45 (bs, 1H). ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 14.1, 22.7, 26.0, 26.6, 29.1, 31.0, 31.7, 37.1, 38.1, 45.8, 173.2.

(iv) N-(Cyclohexylmethyl)-N-heptylamine hydrochloride

N-(Cyclohexylmethyl)heptanamide (0.58 g, 2.6 mmol) was dried once by azeotropic distillation with toluene, taken up in freshly distilled THF (23 mL) and cooled on an icebath under an argon atmosphere. Borane, (3.2 mL of a 2M solution of the methylsulfide complex in diethylether) was added and the icebath was removed after 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was refluxed for four hours and was then allowed to cool to room temperature. 1.2 mL of 10% HCl was carefully added and the mixture was left with stirring overnight. Concentration in vacuo followed by the addition of ice cold THF (ca. 15 mL) gave a white precipitate. Water (ca. 3 mL) was added followed by toluene (ca. 10 mL) and the mixture was concentrated in vacuo. Ice cold THF (ca. 15 ml) was added to the residue and the resulting precipitate was filtered off and dried in vacuo to give 2.96 g of crude product as a white salt. This material was used in the subsequent reaction step without any further purification.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 0.87-0.98 (m, 3H), 0.97-1.11 (m, 2H), 1.15-1.45 (m, 11H), 1.65-1.86 (m, 8H), 2.84 (d, 2H), 2.93-3.01(m, 2H). ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 14.3, 23.6, 26.6, 27.0, 27.1, 27.6, 29.9, 31.5, 32.7, 36.4, 55.0.

(v) Ethyl(2S)-3-(4-{2-[(cyclohexylmethyl)(heptyl)amino]-2-oxoethoxy}phenyl)-2-ethoxypropanoate

To a solution of {4-[(2S)-2,3-diethoxy-3-oxopropyl]phenoxy}acetic acid (0.108 g, 0.36 mmol) in methylene chloride (3.6 mL) were added N-(cyclohexylmethyl)-N-heptylamine hydrochloride (0.090 g, 0.36 mmol) and DMAP (0.098 g, 0.80 mmol) followed by 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (0.070 g, 0.36 mmol) and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The mixture was diluted with methylene chloride (25 mL) and the organic phase was washed with 5% HCl (3×25 mL), aqueous NaHCO₃ (25 mL) and brine (25 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. Purification on a prepacked column of silica gel (Isolute® SPE Column, 5 g Si/25 mL) with methanol (0-1% gradient) in methylene chloride as the eluent yielded 0.103 g (58%) of a colourless oil.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 0.83-0.97 (m, 5H), 1.11-1.33 (m, 17H), 1.45-1.80 (m, 8H), 2.88-3.00 (m, 2H), 3.14 and 3.19 (2d, 2H, rotamers), 3.24-3.39 (m, 3H), 3.58 (m, 1H), 3.95 (m, 1H), 4.15 (q, 2H), 4.64 and 4.66 (2s, 2H, rotamers), 6.84 and 6.84 (2d, 2H, rotamers), 7.14 (d, 2H) ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 14.2, 14.3, 15.2, 22.7, 26.0, 26.0, 26.5, 26.5, 27.0, 27.0, 27.2, 28.9, 29.1, 31.0, 31.2, 31.9, 36.1, 37.3, 38.6, 46.4, 48.0, 51.7, 53.3, 60.9, 66.3, 67.5, 67.7, 80.4, 114.6, 114.7, 130.2, 130.5, 157.1, 157.1, 167.8, 167.9, 172.6 (The number of peaks is larger than the number of carbon atoms due to rotamers.)

(vi) (2S)-3-(4-{2-[(Cyclohexylmethyl)(heptyl)amino]-2-oxoethoxy}phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propanoic acid

To a solution of ethyl(2S)-3-(4-{2-[(cyclohexylmethyl)(heptyl)amino]-2-oxoethoxy}phenyl)-2-ethoxy-propanoate (0.031 g, 0.057 mmol) in TEF (2.0 mL) were added water (2.0 mL) and lithium hydroxide (0.006 g, 0.26 mmol), and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The mixture was acidified with 2M HCl and extracted with ethyl acetate (4×25 mL). The combined organic phase was washed with brine (25 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, and concentrated in vacuo to afford 0.027 g (93%) of a colourless oil.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 0.82-0.99 (m, 5H), 1.10-1.35 (m, 14H), 1.46-1.82 (m, 8H), 2.94 (m, 1H), 3.05 (m, 1H), 3.15 and 3.21 (2d, 2H, rotamers), 3.25-3.46 (m, 3H), 3.61 (m, 1H), 4.02 (m, 1H), 4.66 and 4.68 (2s, 2H, rotamers), 6.85 (d, 2H), 7.16 (d, 2H), 7.77 (bs, 1H). ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 14.2, 15.1, 22.7, 26.0, 26.0, 26.4, 26.5, 27.0, 27.0, 27.2, 28.9, 29.1, 31.0, 31.2, 31.9, 36.1, 37.2, 38.0, 46.6, 48.0, 51.8, 53.4, 66.8, 67.3, 67.5, 79.9, 114.7, 114.8, 129.9, 130.6, 157.1, 157.2, 168.2, 168.3, 175.2. (The number of peaks is larger than the number of carbon atoms due to rotamers.)

Example 2 (2S)-3-(4-{2-[(2,4-Difluorobenzyl)(heptyl)amino]-2-oxoethoxy}phenyl)-2-ethoxypropanoic acid

(i) N-(2,4-Difluorobenzyl)heptanamide

To a solution of 2,4-difluorbenzylamine (0.43 g, 3.0 mmol) in methylene chloride (30 mL) were added heptanoic acid (0.39 g, 3.0 mmol) and DMAP (0.37 g, 3.0 mmol) followed by 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (0.58 g, 3.0 mmol) and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The mixture was diluted with methylene chloride (100 mL), and the organic phase was washed with 5% HCl (3×75 mL), aqueous NaHCO₃ (75 mL) and brine (75 mL), and dried over Na₂SO₄. Concentration in vacuo afforded 0.63 g (82%) of a yellow oil.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 0.83-0.91 (m, 3H), 1.22-1.35 (m, 6H), 1.56-1.68 (m, 2H), 2.19 (t, 2H), 4.43 (d, 2H), 5.80 (bs, 1H), 6.75-6.88 (m, 2H), 7.33 (m, 1H). ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 14.1, 22.6, 25.7, 29.0, 31.6, 36.8, 37.1, 104.0 (t), 111.5 (dd), 131.5 (dd), 173.2. (Non-protonated carbons not reported.).

(ii) N-(2,4-Difluorobenzyl)-N-heptylamine hydrochloride

N-(2,4-Difluorobenzyl)heptanamide (0.55 g, 2.2 mmol) was dried once by azeotropic distillation with toluene, taken up in freshly distilled THF (19 mL) and cooled on an icebath under an argon atmosphere. Borane, (2.7 mL of a 2M solution of the dimethyl sulfide complex in diethyl ether) was added and the icebath was removed after 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was refluxed for four hours and was then allowed to cool to room temperature. 1.0 mL of 10% HCl was carefully added and the mixture was left with stirring overnight. Concentration in vacuo followed by the addition of ice cold THIF (ca. 15 mL) gave a precipitate, which was filtered off and dried in vacuo to afford 0.81 g of crude product as an off-white salt. This material was used in the subsequent reaction step without any further purification.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 0.88-0.95 (m, 3H), 1.27-1.45 (m, 8H), 1.66-1.79 (m, 2H), 3.03-3.10 (m, 2H), 4.27 (s, 2H), 7.06-7.17 (m, 2H), 7.62 (m, 1H). ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 14.3, 23.6, 27.1, 27.5, 29.8, 32.7, 45.0 (d), 48.9, 105.4 (t), 113.3 (dd), 134.8 (dd). (Non-protonated carbons not reported.)

(iii) Ethyl(2S)-3-(4-{2-[(2,4-difluorobenzyl)(heptyl)amino]-2-oxoethoxy}phenyl)-2-ethoxypropanoate

To a solution of {4-[(2S)-2,3-diethoxy-3-oxopropyl]phenoxy}acetic acid (0.104 g, 0.35 mmol) in methylene chloride (3.5 mL) was added N-(2,4-difluorobenzyl)-N-heptylamine hydrochloride (0.098 g, 0.35 mmol) and DMAP (0.094 g, 0.77 mmol) followed by 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (0.067 g, 0.35 mmol) and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The mixture was diluted with methylene chloride (50 mL), and the organic phase was washed with 5% HCl (3×25 mL), aqueous NaHCO₃ (25 mL) and brine (25 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, and concentrated in vacuo. Purification on a prepacked column of silica gel (Isolute® SPE Column, 5 g Si/25 mL) with methanol (0-1% gradient) in methylene chloride as the eluent afforded 0.066 g (36%) of a colourless oil.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 0.81-0.90 (m, 3H), 1.15 (t, 3H), 1.17-1.31 (m, 11H), 1.43-1.65 (m, 2H), 2.89-3.00 (m, 2H), 3.24-3.39 (m, 3H), 3.59 (m, 1H), 3.96 (m, 1H), 4.15 (q, 2H), 4.60 (s, 2H), 4.69 and 4.70 (2s, 2H, rotamers), 6.73-6.88 (m, 4H), 7.08-7.22 and 7.22-7.31 (2m, 3H, rotamers). ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 14.1, 14.3, 15.1, 22.6, 26.9, 27.1, 28.7, 29.0, 31.8, 38.5, 41.5, 44.3, 46.1, 47.2, 60.9, 66.3, 67.5, 68.1, 80.3, 103.6 (t), 104.2 (t), 111.6 (dd), 114.4, 114.6, 119.8 (dd), 120.3 (dd), 129.6 (dd), 130.4, 130.6, 131.7 (dd), 156.7, 156.9, 168.2, 168.3, 172.5 (The number of peaks is larger than the number of carbon atoms due to rotamers. Fluorinated carbons not reported.)

(iv) (2S)-3-(4-{2-[(2,4-Difluorobenzyl)(heptyl)amino]-2-oxoethoxy}phenyl)-2-ethoxypropanoic acid

To a solution of ethyl(2S)-3-(4-{2-[(2,4-difluorobenzyl)(heptyl)amino]-2-oxoethoxy}phenyl)-2-ethoxypropanoate (0.047 g, 0.090 mmol) in THF (2.0 mL) was added water (2.0 mL) and lithium hydroxide (0.010 mg, 0.42 mmol) and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo, acidified with 2M HCl, and extracted with ethyl acetate (4×25 mL). The combined organic phase was washed with brine (25 m]L), dried over Na₂SO₄, and concentrated in vacuo to afford 0.044 g (89%) of a colourless oil.

¹H NMR (400 MH, CDCl₃): δ 0.83-0.93 (m, 3H), 1.17 (t, 3H), 1.20-1.35 (m, 8H), 1.45-1.67 (m, 2H), 2.90-3.14 (m, 2H), 3.26-3.35 (m, 2H), 3.42 (m, 1H), 3.63 (m, 1H), 4.04 (m, 1H), 4.63 (s, 2H), 4.74 (s, 2H), 6.75-6.90 (m, 4H), 7.11-7.22 and 7.25-7.35 (2m, 3H, rotamers), 9.13 (bs, 1H). ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 14.1, 15.1, 22.6, 26.9, 27.1, 28.6, 29.0, 31.8, 38.0, 41.6, 44.3, 46.2, 47.3, 66.8, 67.3, 68.0, 79.8, 103.7 (t), 104.3 (t), 104.3, 111.7 (dd), 114.6, 114.7, 119.7 (dd), 120.1 (dd), 129.7 (m), 130.1, 130.7, 131.8 (dd), 156.8, 157.0, 168.6, 168.7, 175.6 (The number of peaks is larger than the number of carbon atoms due to rotamers. Fluorinated carbons not reported.)

Biological Activity

Formulations

Compounds were dissolved in DMSO to obtain 16 mM stock solutions. Before assays, stock solutions were further diluted in DMSO and culture media.

General Chemicals and Reagents

Luciferase assay reagent was purchased from Packard, USA. Restriction Enzymes were from Boehringer and Vent polymerase from New England Biolabs.

Cell Lines and Cell Culture Conditions

U2-OS, (Osteogenic sarcoma, Human) was purchased from ATCC, USA. Cells were expanded and refrozen in batches from passage number six. Cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM) with 25 mM glucose, 2 mM glutamine or 4 mM L-alanyl-L-glutamine, 10% fetal calf serum, at 5% CO₂. Phosphate buffered saline (PBS) without addition of calcium or magnesium was used. All cell culture reagents were from Gibco (USA) and 96-well cell culture plates were purchased from Wallach.

Plasmid Constructs for Heterologous Expression

Standard recombinant DNA techniques were carried out as described by Ausubel (7). The Luciferase reporter vector, pGL5UAS (clone consists of five copies of the GAL4 DNA binding sequence, 5′-CGACGGAGTACTGTCCTCCGAGCT-3′, cloned into the SacI/XhoI sites of pGL3-Promoter (Promega). The SacI/XhoI fragment carrying the UAS sites was constructed using annealed overlapping oligonucleotides.

Expression vectors used are based upon pSG5 (Stratagene). All vectors contain an EcoRI/NheI fragment encoding the DNA binding domain of GAL4 (encoding amino acid positions 1-145 of database accession number PO₄₃₈₆) followed by an in-frame fusion to a fragment encoding the nuclear localisation sequence from T antigen of Polyoma Virus.

The nuclear localisation sequence was constructed using annealed overlapping oligonucleotides creating NheI/KpnI sticky ends (5-CTAGCGCTCCTAGAAGAAACGCAAGGTTGGTAC-3′). The ligand binding domains from human and mouse PPARα and human and mouse PPARγ were PCR amplified as KpnI/BamHI fragments and cloned in frame to the GAL4 DNA binding domain and the nuclear localisation sequence. The sequence of all plasmid constructs used were confirmed by sequencing. The following expression vectors were used for transient transfections:

vector encoded PPAR subtype sequence reference¹ pSGGALhPPa human PPARα S74349, nt 625–1530 pSGGALmPPa murine PPARα X57638, nt 668–1573 pSGGALhPPg human PPARγ U63415, nt 613–1518 pSGGALmPPg murine PPARγ U09138, nt 652–1577 ¹refers to nucleotide positions of data base entry used to express the ligand binding domain. Transient Transfections

Frozen stocks of cells from passage number six were thawed and expanded to passage number eight before transfections. Confluent cells were trypsinised, washed and pelleted by centrifugation at 270×g for 2 minutes. The cell pellet was resuspended in cold PBS to a cell concentration of about 18×10⁶ cells/ml. After addition of DNA, the cell suspension was incubated on ice for approximately 5 minutes before electroporation at 230 V, 960 μF. in Biorad's Gene Pulser™ in 0.5 ml batches. A total of 50 μg DNA was added to each batch of 0.5 ml cells, including 2.5 μg expression vector, 25 μg reporter vector and 22.5 μg unspecific DNA (pBluescript, Stratagene).

After electroporation, cells were diluted to a concentration of 320'000 cells/ml in DMEM without phenol red, and approximately 25'000 cells/well were seeded in 96-well plates. In order to allow cells to recover, seeded plates were incubated at 37° C. for 34 hours before addition of test compounds. In assays for PPARA, the cell medium was supplemented with resin-charcoal stripped fetal calf serum (FCS) in order to avoid background activation by fatty acid components of the FCS. The resin-charcoal stripped FCS was produced as follows; for 500 ml of heat-inactivated FCS, 10 g charcoal and 25 g Bio-Rad Analytical Grade Anion Exchange Resin 200-400 mesh were added, and the solution was kept on a magnetic stirrer, at room temperature over night. The following day, the FCS was centrifuged and the stripping procedure was repeated for 4-6 hours. After the second treatment, the FCS was centrifuged and filter sterilised in order to remove remnants of charcoal and resin.

Assay Procedure

Stock solutions of compounds in DMSO were diluted in appropriate concentration ranges in master plates. From master plates, compounds were diluted in culture media to obtain test compound solutions for final doses.

After adjustment of the amount of cell medium to 75 μl in each well, 50 μl test compound solution was added. Transiently transfected cells were exposed to compounds for about 24 hours before the luciferase detection assay was performed. For luciferase assays, 100 μl of assay reagent was added manually to each well and plates were left for approximately 20 minutes in order to allow lysis of the cells. After lysis, luciferase activity was measured in a 1420 Multiwell counter, Victor, from Wallach.

Reference Compounds

The TZD pioglitazone was used as reference substance for activation of both human and murine PPARγ. 5,8,11,14-Eicosatetrayonic acid (ETYA) was used as reference substance for human PPARα.

Calculations and Analysis

For calculation of EC₅₀ values, a concentration-effect curve was established. Values used were derived from the average of two or three independent measurements (after subtraction of the background average value) and were expressed as the percentage of the maximal activation obtained by the reference compound. Values were plotted against the logarithm of the test compound concentration. EC₅₀ values were estimated by linear intercalation between the data points and calculating the concentration required to achieve 50% of the maximal activation obtained by the reference compound.

The compounds of formula I have an EC₅₀ of less than 0.5 μmol/l for PPARα and preferred compounds have an EC₅₀ of less than 0.05 μmol/l for PPARα. The compounds of formula I are a select group of compounds in that they are more potent with respect to PPARα than with respect to PPAR_(γ). It is believed that this relationship is important with respect to the pharmacological activity of the compounds and to their therapeutic profile.

In addition the compounds of the present invention exhibit improved DMPK (Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetic) properties for example they exhibit improved metabolic stability in vitro and also exhibit favourable dose response curves in vivo. The compounds also have a promising toxicological profile. 

1. The S enantiomer of a compound of formula I

wherein R¹ represents 2,4-difluorophenyl or cyclohexyl and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and prodrugs thereof.
 2. A compound selected from: (2S)-3-(4-{2-[(Cyclohexylmethyl)(heptyl)amino]-2-oxoethoxy}phenyl)-2-ethoxypropanoic acid; and (2S)-3-(4-{2-[(2,4-Difluorobenzyl)(heptyl)amino]-2-oxoethoxy}phenyl)-2-ethoxypropanoic acid and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
 3. 2S)-3-(4-{2-[(Cyclohexylmethyl)(heptyl)amino]-2-oxoethoxy}phenyl)-2-ethoxypropanoic acid and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, thereof.
 4. (2S)-3-(4-{2-[(2,4-Difluorobenzyl)(heptyl)amino]-2-oxoethoxy}phenyl)-2-ethoxypropanoic acid and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, thereof.
 5. A pharmaceutical formulation comprising a compound according to any one of claims 1-4 in admixture with pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvants, diluents and/or carriers.
 6. A method of treating general obesity, abdominal obesity, arterial hypertension, hyperinsulineamia, hyperglycaemia, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidaemia characteristically appearing with insulin resistance comprising the administration of a compound according to any one of claims 1-4 to a mammal in need thereof.
 7. A method of treating type 2 diabetes comprising the administration of an effective amount of a compound of formula I according to any one of claims 1-4 to a mammal in need thereof.
 8. A process for the preparation of a compound of formula I comprising reacting a compound of formula II

in which R¹ is 2,4-difluorophenyl or cyclohexyl, and R² is C₇H₁₅, and n is 1 and R₃ represents a protecting group for carboxylic hydroxy group with a de-protecting agent.
 9. A compound of formula II

in which R¹ is 2,4-difluorophenyl or cyclohexyl, and R² is C₇H₁₅, and n is 1 and R₃ represents a protecting group for carboxylic hydroxy group.
 10. A compound of formula III

in which R² is a protecting group for carboxylic hydroxy group.
 11. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 combined with another therapeutic agent that is useful in the treatment of disorders associated with the development and progress of atherosclerosis.
 12. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 combined with PPAR modulating agent.
 13. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 combined with a cholesterol-lowering agent.
 14. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 combined with a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor.
 15. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 combined with atorvastatin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, crystalline form or prodrug thereof.
 16. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 combined with rosuvastatin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 17. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 combined with an IBAT inhibitor.
 18. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 17 wherein the IBAT inhibitor is selected from one of: 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-1′-phenyl-1′-[N′-(carboxymethyl)carbamoyl]methyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N′-(carboxymethyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-1′-phenyl-1′-[N′-(2-sulphoethyl)carbamoyl]methyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-1 ′-phenyl-1′-[N′-(2-sulphoethyl)carbamoyl]methyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N′-(2-sulphoethyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N′-(2-sulphoethyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N{(R)-α-[N′-(2-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N′-(2-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N′-(5-carboxypentyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbanoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N′-(2-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{-α-[N′-(2-sulphoethyl)carbamoyl]-2-fluorobenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N′-(R)-(2-hydroxy-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N′-(R)-(2-hydroxy-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-{N-[(R)-α-(N′-{(R)-1-[N″-(R)-(2-hydroxy-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]-2-hydroxyethyl}carbamoyl)benzyl]carbamoylmethoxy}-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{-α-[N′-(carboxymethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{-α-[N′-((ethoxy)(methyl)phosphoryl-methyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-{N-[(R)-α-(N′-{2-[(hydroxy)(methyl)phosphoryl]ethyl}carbamoyl)benzyl]carbamoylmethoxy}-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N′-(2-methylthio-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-{N-[(R)-α-(N′-{2-[(methyl)(ethyl)phosphoryl]ethyl}carbamoyl)₄-hydroxybenzyl]carbamoylmethoxy}-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-{N-[(R)-α-(N′-{2-[(methyl)(hydroxy)phosphoryl]ethyl}carbamoyl)-4-hydroxybenzyl]carbamoylmethoxy}-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[(R)-α-N′-(2-methylsulphinyl-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methoxy-8-[N-{(R)-α-[N′-(2-sulphoethyl)carbamoyl]4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((R)-1-carboxy-2-methylthio-ethyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((S)-1-carboxy-2-(R)-hydroxypropyl)carbamoyl]4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((S)-1-carboxy-2-methylpropyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((S)-1-carboxybutyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((S)-1-carboxypropyl)carbanoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((S)-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((S)-1-carboxy-2-(R)-hydroxypropyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-(2-sulphoethyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((S)-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N{(R)-α-[N-((R)-1-carboxy-2-methylthioethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-{(S)-1-[N-((S)-2-hydroxy-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]propyl}carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((S)-1-carboxy-2-methylpropyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((S)-1-carboxypropyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-[N-((R/S)-α-{N-[1-(R)-2-(S)-1-hydroxy-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-yl]carbamoyl}-4-hydroxybenzyl)carbamoylmethoxy]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-(2-(S)-3-(R)-4-(R)-5-(R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexyl)carbamoyl]4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; and 1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-(2-(S)-3-(R)-4-(R)-5-(R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or a prodrug thereof.
 19. The S enantiomer of a compound of formula I

wherein R¹ represents 2,4-difluorophenyl or cyclohexyl and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and C₁₋₆ alkoxymethyl esters, C₁₋₆ alkanoyloxymethyl esters, phthalidyl esters, C₃₋₈ cycloalkoxycarbonyloxy C₁₋₆ alkyl esters, 1,3-dioxolen-2-onylmethyl esters, and C₁₋₆ alkoxycarbonyloxyethyl esters thereof.
 20. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound as claimed in claim 19 combined with atorvastatin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, crystalline form or C₁₋₆ alkoxymethyl esters, C₁₋₆ alkanoyloxymethyl esters, phthalidyl esters, C₃₋₈ cycloalkoxycarbonyloxy C₁₋₆ alkyl esters, 1,3-dioxolen-2-onylmethyl esters, and C₁₋₆ alkoxycarbonyloxyethyl esters thereof.
 21. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 17 wherein the IBAT inhibitor is selected from one of: 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-1′-phenyl-1′-[N′-(carboxymethyl)carbamoyl]methyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-]N′-(carboxymethyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-1′-phenyl-1′-[N′-(2-sulphoethyl)carbamoyl]methyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-1′-phenyl-1′-]N′-(2-sulphoethyl)carbamoyl]methyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N′-(2-sulphoethyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N′-(2-sulphoethyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N′-(2-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-]N′-(2-carboxyethyl)carbamoy]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-]N′-(5-carboxypentyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N′-(2-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{α-[N′-(2-sulphoethyl)carbamoyl]-2-fluorobenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N′-(R)-(2-hydroxy-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N′-(R)-(2-hydroxy-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-{N-[(R)-α-(N′-{(R)-1-[N″-(R)-(2-hydroxy-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]-2-hydroxyethyl}carbamoyl)benzyl]carbamoylmethoxy}-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{α-[N′-(carboxymethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{α-[N′-((ethoxy)(methyl)phosphoryl-methyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3-butyl-3-ethyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-{N-[(R)-α-(N′-{2-[(hydroxy)(methyl)phosphoryl]ethyl}carbamoyl)benzyl]carbamoylmethoxy}-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N′-(2-methylthio-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-{N-[(R)-α-(N′-{2-](methyl)(ethyl)phosphoryl]ethyl}carbamoyl)-4-hydroxybenzyl]carbamoylmethoxy}-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-{N-[(R)-α-(N′-{2-[(methyl)(hydroxy)phosphoryl]ethyl}carbamoyl)-4-hydroxybenzyl]carbamoylmethoxy}-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[(R)-N′-(2-methylsulphinyl-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methoxy-8-[N-{(R)-α-[N′-(2-sulphoethyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,5-benzothiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((R)-1-carboxy-2-methylthio-ethyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((S)-1-carboxy-2-(R)-hydroxypropyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((S)-1-carboxy-2-methylpropyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((S)-1-carboxybutyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((S)-1-carboxypropyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((S)-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((S)-1-carboxy-2-(R)-hydroxypropyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-(2-sulphoethyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((S)-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((R)-1-carboxy-2-methylthioethyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-{(S)-1-[N-((S)-2-hydroxy-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl]propyl}carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((S)-1-carboxy-2-methylpropyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-((S)-1-carboxypropyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-[N-((R/S)-α-{N-[1-(R)-2-(S)-1-hydroxy-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-yl]carbamoyl}-4-hydroxybenzyl)carbamoylmethoxy]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; 1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-(2-(S)-3-(R)-4-(R)-5-(R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexyl)carbamoyl]-4-hydroxybenzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; and 1,1-Dioxo-3,3-dibutyl-5-phenyl-7-methylthio-8-(N-{(R)-α-[N-(2-(S)-3-(R)-4-(R)-5-(R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexyl)carbamoyl]benzyl}carbamoylmethoxy)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,5-benzothiadiazepine; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, solvate of such a salt or C₁₋₆ alkoxymethyl esters, C₁₋₆ alkanoyloxymethyl esters, phthalidyl esters, C₃₋₈ cycloalkoxycarbonyloxy C₁₋₆ alkyl esters, 1,3-dioxolen-2-onylmethyl esters, and C₁₋₆ alkoxycarbonyloxyethyl esters thereof.
 22. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 11, wherein the disorder associated with the development and progress of atherosclerosis is hypertension, hyperlipidaemias, dyslipidaemias, diabetes or obesity. 